Want to further your career while making an impact in the lives of others? On this episode of Online Stripes, we meet Tony Chambers — who started college late — but now has a master’s degree. He’s living proof that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.

Choosing where you go to further your education is a really big decision. And choosing Mizzou may be one of the best decisions of your life. With our prestigious world-class faculty, our affordable tuition — and the fact that you can complete the program entirely online wherever you live in the world – at your own pace – in your own time – is what attracts so many students to Mizzou. Nearly 340,000 Mizzou alumni live around the globe today. Tony Chambers is one of them.

"I'm currently an associate behavior analyst with Special School District. I work in a special needs high school, overseeing forty-one kids who receive applied behavior services."

"It was really important for me to dive into this disorder as deeply as possible, along with education, and this couldn't be more of a perfect fit for that."

While getting his master’s degree, not only was Tony working with children with special needs, but he had a very busy and challenging home life.

"I was very open with my advisor on, just kind of, life in general and my career and my kids. I had a baby during this program. My son, Daniel, who's five, lives with a rare genetic disorder which requires a lot of care. So there are some hospital visits and just things that come up, and they are always accommodating."

Tony feels his education has helped him communicate with his student’s parents, and answer their questions in a meaningful way that they can understand.

"Having this knowledge allows you to be that professional, that expert, that can, hopefully, guide them in a direction that helps their kiddos."

Wherever you are in your life, it’s never too late to go back to school and further your career. Tony is living proof.

"I started late with college. There's no real wrong time to kind of go, whatever kind of stage of life you're in. You can start early if you want and take that path or, if you end up in my path, there’s still nothing that stops you."

And now, with degree in hand, Tony is on his way taking his career to the next level — and impacting the lives of others

"I'm the first one on both sides of my family to get a master's degree, which is huge. I'm proud and excited."

Inspired by Tony’s story? You can do the same. Get ready to enter the workforce, or to make your next career move, with one of MU's online degree or certificate programs. We’ll be with you every step of the way.